LAKE FOREST – He could have taken it easy considering his boys soccer team was leading by two goals with just a few minutes to go in Wednesday's nonleague game against Capistrano Valley.

But James Suri kept sprinting down the left side of the field, firing cross after cross into the box for host El Toro.

"He is a workhorse for us," El Toro coach Doug Franco said. "He will run through walls for us."

On a team filled with creative playmakers, Suri stood out on Wednesday, having a role in both goals that the No. 3 Chargers scored in the 2-0 victory.

It's the third consecutive game in which he has finished with at least one goal. He has scored five goals during that span, four of them coming in two games last week.

"He draws a lot of attention from other teams, and that helps kind of open up options and other players to get the ball," Franco said.

That's exactly what happened in the 75th minute. With the Cougars' defenders focused on Suri as he made a dash into the box, Roger Howard and Nicolo D'Amato were able to find some space in the attacking third. Suri passed the ball to Howard who then got the ball to D'Amato who set the final margin with his shot that just made it under the crossbar.

That was the 43rd goals that the Chargers (12-1) have scored in 13 games this season, and so far no team has been able to keep El Toro from scoring at least two goals. Five El Toro players rank among the county's goal scoring leaders, led by Michael Bryant, who has eight.

Bryant set up the Chargers' first goal of the game 24th minute.

Matt Bermudez punched a D'Amato corner kick to the top of the box right to Bryant. Bryant then passed the ball through traffic and found Suri standing by the near post who redirected the ball into the goal.

"We definitely have a good offense. We work hard all over the field. Creating chances is one of our strengths this year," Franco said. "Our guys are good going forward. We have a good, solid defense that allows us to get numbers forward."

The score could have been really lopsided had it not for Bermudez, who made several spectacular saves for the Cougars (4-6-0). None was better than his stop in the 59th minute. Suri created a turnover in the attacking third, dribbled just short of the area and unleashed a blistering shot at Capo's goal. Bermudez timed his leap perfectly and slapped the ball over the bar for one of his eight saves.

Capistrano Valley's Alejandro Velazquez, left, goes up for the ball against El Toro's Jason Cruz in the first half of Wednesday's game. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
El Toro midfielder David Taylor has a cupcake smashed in his face by a teammate during a postgame celebration to honor his birthday. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Capistrano Valley goalkeeper Matthew Bermudez kneels dejectedly in front of the goal after El Toro's Kevin Graham scored the first goal of the game Wednesday. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
El Toro midfielder Nicolo D'Amato, right, rushes down the while being pursued by Capistrano Valley midfielder Kevin Graham on Wednesday. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
El Toro forward James Suri, left, is chased by Capistrano Valley forward William Vecchio in the second half of the Chargers' 2-0 victory on Wednesday. Suri scored a goal and had an assist in the game. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
El Toro players celebrate after they scored their second goal against Capistrao Valley on Tuesday. The goal was scored by midfielder Nicolo D'Amato. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
El Toro assistant coach Jared Ricard, left, and head coach Doug Franco talk to the players during halftime of a game against Capistrano Valley on Wednesday. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Capristano Valley's Paul Reyes, left, and Anthony Novella, right, battle El Toro's Michael Bryant for control of the ball during Wednesday's game.ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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